Standard Electric Acquires Two Locations to Expand its Massachusetts Presence

New locations provide excellent fit with corporate strategic growth plan

Wilmington, MA (January 13, 2003) - Standard Electric, headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts and one of the country's largest independent electrical distributors, has expanded its presence in the Massachusetts market with the acquisition of Intercity Electric, Framingham MA and Lowell Electric, Lowell MA.

Both locations will immediately begin operating under the Standard Electric name with their present management team remaining in place. Standard Electric will continue to serve the electrical supply, lighting, power distribution and telecommunications product requirements in these two markets through its sales, counter and warehousing operations.

"This expansion is a continuation of our New England growth strategy," said Dennis Miller, president and CEO of Standard Electric. "Both the Framingham and Lowell locations significantly strengthen Standard Electric's presence in these important and strategic markets that we have served for many years."

Standard Electric ranks among the nation's top 50 electrical wholesalers with over $100 million in sales. The company continues to grow with over 250 employees and thirteen locations in the Northeast and celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1, 2002.

For more company information about Standard Electric, call Kurt Schaefer (Dir. of Marketing) at (978) 988-3115 or visit their website at www.standardelectric.com.